10 WWE Stars Who Didn’t See Their Own Downfall Coming

6. Edge

Edge retirement
WWE.com

The shocked and stunned expressions Edge wore during his 2011 retirement promos on Raw and SmackDown told the full story. He, much like his fans worldwide, hadn't been prepared for retirement. Sadly for Mr. 'Rated-R Superstar', health came first, and doctors weren't going to green light the continuation of his wrestling career.

That was that then.

Edge admitted on WWE's recent 24 episode that he had been in pain for a good while before neck injuries forced him from the ring. Even so, he didn't realise the gravity of the situation, and wasn't ready to say goodbye to a job he'd wanted since he was a child. Having to ride off into the sunset on someone else's terms was brutal.

There's a cheerful end to this story, of course - Edge has returned to the ring, and he's happy to work until he decides to hang up his boots. That's all he ever wanted in the first place. Having to deal with a hasty departure nine years ago wasn't easy.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.